Patent application title: Drainage system for synthetic grass system, method of installing a synthetic grass system and business method of providing a synthetic grass system

Abstract:

A drainage system for use with a synthetic grass surface, the system
having a base having a center portion with a first depth and a perimeter
channel with a second depth being greater than the first depth, a
plurality of tiles above the base, and a synthetic grass above the
plurality of tiles. Also, a business method facilitates installation of a
synthetic grass system which utilizes drainage tiles positioned between a
stone base and the bottom of the synthetic turf, wherein a mold for
manufacturing the tile is provided from the turf company to a
manufacturing company located in relatively close proximity to where the
synthetic turf system is to be installed.

Claims:

1. A drainage system for use with a synthetic grass surface, the system
comprising:a base portion having a center portion with a first depth and
a perimeter channel with a second depth being greater than the first
depth,a plurality of tiles above the base, and,a synthetic grass above
the plurality of tiles.

2. The drainage system of claim 1 including a drainage pipe disposed
within the perimeter channel.

3. The drainage system of claim 2 wherein the drainage pipe is porous.

4. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the base is downwardly sloped
from the center portion to the perimeter channel at approximately 0.5%.

5. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the base is approximately 2
inches deep in the center.

6. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the base is a drainage base of
crushed stone.

8. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the base is surrounded by a
geotextile liner.

9. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein a waterproof membrane is
disposed below the base.

10. The drainage system of claim 1 wherein the synthetic grass system
comprises a backing with a plurality of upstanding ribbons and an infill
disposed interstitially between the ribbons.

11. A method of installing a synthetic grass system, the method comprising
the steps of:excavating an area;installing a first base comprised of a
plurality of stones;installing a second base comprised of a plurality of
tiles;utilizing the second base to level the first base;providing a
synthetic grass system disposed above the second base.

12. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of:installing a
geo-textile fabric to substantially surround the first base.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the first base having a
center portion having a first depth and a perimeter channel with a second
depth being greater than the first depth.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the first depth being
approximately 2 inches.

15-22. (canceled)

Description:

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/862,747 filed on Oct. 24, 2006, the entirety of which
is incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present invention relates to synthetic grass systems, and more
particularly to bases and drainage systems for synthetic grass and
business methods for providing a synthetic grass system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]Beneath a synthetic grass field a base or drainage system is usually
installed. Such drainage systems may comprise a base of stone and a
plurality of tiles above the stones. While both the conventional tiles
and conventional stone bases are effective for their intended purposes,
there can be problems associated with the tiles and stone bases, as well
as the method of installing a synthetic grass field thereon.

[0004]The conventional stone bases are relatively deep and require
substantial time for excavating the soil, laying the stone and leveling.
Often, problems can arise based upon the availability of the stone, as
well as the tedious nature of layering and leveling the same, resulting
in delays. Also, because of the depth of the stone base, the cost of a
synthetic grass system can be substantial. It is desirable to have a
stone base that can minimize time delays and cost.

[0005]The conventional method of installing the stone underneath the
synthetic grass and/or grass with tile requires several independent
people to complete the project. First, a base installer is required to
prepare the base which includes, among other things, layering and
leveling of stone. Second, a grass installer must wait until the base
installer is finished until the grass installer can begin to install the
synthetic grass field. Additionally, there are time delays associated
with shipping and receiving tile when underlying tile is to be used. It
is desirable to have a method for installing that minimizes the time that
the base installer is working, giving the grass installer more time and
control over the installation.

[0006]Finally, synthetic grass companies typically have to ship multiple
shipments of different materials to the job site, including, for example,
drainage tiles. Multiple shipments cost money, can create delays, and
potentially get lost. Additionally, storing such tiles takes up space. It
is desirable to have a method of doing business that minimizes the amount
of stored materials, shipped materials and potential delays.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007]Aspects of the present invention are intended to over come some of
the problems associated with the conventions drainage systems, methods of
installing synthetic grass systems, and business methods for providing a
synthetic grass system.

[0008]In one aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a base that
does not require the deep stone base of the conventional system.
Conventional synthetic grass surfaces have a drainage base of crushed
stone over a compacted soil base. Typically the drainage base is 68
inches deep and has generally three layers of stone: large stones on the
bottom, medium sized stones in the middle and smaller stones on top.
These conventional drainage bases require a substantial amount of stone,
excavation depth and time and money. The drainage system of the present
invention solves some of the problems associated therewith.

[0009]In another aspect of the invention, the invention relates to the
method of installing a base wherein tiles positioned above the stone base
are utilized to level the stone base. Such a method provides benefits
such as reduced delays and potentially lowering cost.

[0010]In a further aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a
business method. The business method includes the synthetic grass company
providing a local manufacturing company, meaning in relative close
proximity to the site where the field is to be installed, with a mold or
molds for manufacturing the required tiles. The local manufacturing
company can then make and, at least, partially assembly the tiles at the
manufacturing site. This method is advantageous for a number of reasons,
including minimizing the amount of tiles needed to be stored, minimizing
the shipping, reducing cost and more importantly, facilitating a
production and shipping that minimizes time delays.

[0011]Other benefits of the present invention will be readily apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the description of the
invention and drawings herewith.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective side cut away view of an embodiment of a
base according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a second perspective side cut away view of another
embodiment of a base according to the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of a tile used in a synthetic grass system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015]While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different
forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail
below, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present
disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of
the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.

[0016]It should be understood that like or analogous elements and/or
components, referred to herein, are identified throughout the drawings by
like reference characters. In addition, it should be understood that the
drawings are merely a representation, and some of the components may have
been distorted from actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0017]According to one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a
drainage system 10 for use with a synthetic grass surface 12, the system
10 includes a base 14 having a center portion 16 with a first depth and a
perimeter 18 with a second depth being greater than the first depth, a
plurality of tiles 20 above the drainage base, and, the synthetic grass
12 above the plurality of tiles 20.

[0018]In contrast to the conventional base, a base 14 according to the
present invention is relatively smaller and it is preferred that it is
approximately 2-3 inches deep in the center portion 16. The base 14 does
not need the layering stone of the conventional base, and can use locally
available stone and it is preferred that relatively larger stone is used
to minimize over compaction by the small stones which leads to poor
drainage characteristics. Utilizing locally available stone can decrease
the cost of a synthetic grass system, as well as the time required for
installing same.

[0019]The perimeter 18 of the drainage base may include a channel 22 with
a depth deeper than the depth of the center portion 16. It is preferred
that within the channel 22 a drain pipe 24 is provided and it is further
preferred that the drain pipe 24 is perforated. In a preferred embodiment
the drain pipe 24 is at least 18 inches below the synthetic grass system
12.

[0020]It is also contemplated that the base 12 has a slope downward from
the center portion 16 to the perimeter 18. It is preferred that the slope
is 0.5%; however, other sloping degrees may be used, if at all.

[0021]Additionally, the base 14 may be surrounded by a geotextile liner 26
and/or a water impermeable membrane 28.

[0022]A plurality of tiles 20 are provided above the base 14; and, it is
preferred to use the tile 60 depicted in FIG. 3. A synthetic grass 12 is
provided above a plurality of tiles 20. The synthetic grass system 12 can
comprise of a backing with a plurality of upstanding ribbons 40 and an
infill 42 disposed interstitially between the ribbons 40. One of ordinary
skill in the art would appreciate that a variety of synthetic grass
systems exists and can be utilized with all aspects of the present
invention.

[0023]According to another aspect of the present invention, the invention
provides a novel business method for providing a synthetic grass system.
According to this aspect of the invention, the business method for
providing a synthetic grass system at a site includes the steps of
forming a mold for a base tile, engaging the services of a local
manufacturing company being in close proximity to the site, forming a
plurality of the base tiles at the local manufacturing company,
transporting a plurality of strips of base tiles, and installing the base
tiles at the site.

[0024]Typically, the synthetic grass company or the installer transports
their own tiles. However, engaging a local manufacturing plant which is
near the site where the synthetic grass system is intended to be
installed, saves money and time. What is meant by the term "local
manufacturing plant," is that the manufacturing plant is relatively close
in proximity to the site where the synthetic grass system is to be
installed. Of course, close in proximity will depend on the site. In some
instances, most likely in densely populated areas and cites, the
manufacturing plant may be less than a few miles from the site. In other
instances, the manufacturing plant may be hundreds of miles away;
however, it should still be, but is not required to be, located closer to
the ultimate turf installation site than the synthetic grass company.
Since the manufacturing plant is close to the site (or at least closer
than the synthetic grass company), money is saved on transportation, as
well as time associated with shipping.

[0025]The business method of the present invention may also include the
step of loaning the mold to the local manufacturing plant. This would
allow the synthetic grass company to retain a few number of molds, as
opposed to producing new molds every time a new field is to be installed.

[0026]Additionally, the business method may further include the steps of
assembling the tiles into strips. This also allows the manufacturing
company to assemble the tiles into strips at the manufacturing plants,
and it is preferred they are put into strips that will fit within a
single conventional semi-truck container (7 ft by 40 ft). This assembly
will save time at the site, because the installer will not need to spend
time assembling the tiles into larger sections, or strips. Additionally,
the synthetic grass installers do not need to have excess tiles taking up
substantial space in storage spaces or warehouses. When the strips arrive
at the site, they can be pulled off the container and pulled directly
onto the stone base.

[0027]An additional aspect of the present invention is the utilization of
the tiles to level the stone base. In this aspect of the invention, the
invention includes the steps of excavating an area, installing a first
base, installing a second base, utilizing the second base to level the
first base, and providing a synthetic grass system disposed above the
second base.

[0028]The area to be excavated is the area in which the synthetic grass
assembly is intended to be installed.

[0029]The first base includes a plurality of stones, and it is
contemplated that the first base be the base described herein. The second
base includes a plurality of tiles. For example, the tile 60 depicted in
FIG. 3 may be used. The second base may be installed tile by tile, or it
may be installed in strips, described above.

[0030]After the second base is installed over the first base, the second
base (i.e., the tiles) is used to level the stone base. By, for example,
walking over the second base, the first base is leveled out. Such a
method can save substantial money for both the synthetic grass installer
and the customer. Additionally, such a method saves time for installing
and reduces the chances for delays associated with both the installation
of the tiles and the stone base. Moreover, if the stone base is
substantially shorter than conventional bases, excavation time, time
associated with shipping and laying stone are saved as well.

[0031]While the present invention is described in connection with what is
presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,
it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and
equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the
claims.